Portable doorway apparatus for upper and lower body strengthening and conditioning

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a unique stretching and strengthening apparatus comprised of several interchangeable parts allowing for the stretching and strengthening of both the upper and lower torso with one simple device with a few interchangeable parts. The invention also utilizes a common door and frame in its preferred embodiment again allowing for simplicity and generality of use. The device has an adjustable velcro strap for ease of attachment to either the ankle, wrist or foot of the user and a configurable handles to accommodate double or single handed use. The device is anchored to a common door and frame combination by use of a rod and cloth strap. The rod being fixedly and removably placed behind the closed door. A variety of upper and lower torso stretching exercises can be engaged in simply wrapping the strap around the users ankle, wrist or foot and guiding/stretching the body portion with a free hand or hands which is attached to the strap via a rope. Similarly, strengthening exercises can be engaged in by using elastic tubing to provide resistance for the appropriate body portion.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/172,593 filed Dec. 20, 1999.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates generally to fitness and health and specifically to a device designed to increase upper and lower body stretching and strengthening for physical training and other related sports training practices. More specifically the device allows the athlete or trainee a means and method to stretch and strengthen with a simple, portable device attachable to any common doorframe. Also, it allows an individual to do solo stretching and strengthening exercises relieving him or her of the necessity and expense of a trainer or training partner and providing increased convenience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention provides for a stretching and strengthening apparatus for upper and lower torso stretching and strengthening exercises. The invention has a number of interchangeable parts to allow a user to configure the device according to his or her particular stretching or strengthening requirements obviating the need for multiple pieces of equipment which in turn provides cost and storage (i.e., space) savings. Also since the device is light weight and easily stowed in a handbag or similar luggage, it can be easily taken on business and other types of trips. Its unique design also allows a user to engage in stretching and strengthening exercises solo obviating the need for a stretching partner. The device is also manufactured from common items and materials and is of such simplicity that it does not require special tooling to manufacture.

[0004] In another aspect the device can be used in conjunction with a common construction feature found in almost any dwelling or commercial location: a door and its frame. This creates even further convenience, turning any entrance with a door into a virtual gym.

[0005] These and other features of the present invention will be described in more detail below in the detailed description of the invention and in conjunction with the following figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

[0007]FIG. 1 shows a detailed description of the invention broken into its various subcomponents.

[0008]FIG. 2 shows a detailed description of the assembled invention in two embodiments: the strengthening configuration of FIG. 2a with the hand handle and the stretching configuration with the ankle/wrist wrap and double hand handle shown in FIG. 2b.

[0009]FIG. 3 shows a perspective of the device being used by a trainee to stretch the leg.

[0010]FIG. 4 shows a perspective of the device being used by a trainee to stretch the upper torso.

[0011]FIG. 5 shows a perspective of the device being used by a trainee to stretch the upper torso.

[0012]FIG. 6 shows a perspective of the device being used by a trainee to stretch the leg.

[0013]FIG. 7 shows a perspective of the device being used by a trainee to stretch the leg.

[0014]FIG. 8 shows a perspective of the device being used by a trainee to engage in a leg strengthening exercise.

[0015]FIG. 9 shows a perspective of the device being used by a trainee to engage in a arm strengthening exercise.

[0016]FIG. 10 shows a close up perspective of the device being used by a trainee to engage in an arm strengthening exercise.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to a few preferred embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be obvious, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details.

[0018] Referring now to the drawings and specifically to FIG. 1 and more specifically FIG. 1a, which shows the front view of the strap portion of the invention, strap 2 is fastened around rod 1 by inserting rod 1 through a loop formed by folding strap material over itself and stitching the end of said strap to a previous strap portion. This forms a loop through which rod 1 can be inserted. The rod can be fabricated from a variety of materials, such as metal, wood or plastic of a typical ¾ inch diameter. The rod should be approximately 4 inches in length. The rod can contain a machined depression roughly approximate to its center of the same width as the strap in order to prevent slipping and strap movement relative to the center of the rod. The strap can be manufactured from a variety of material such as nylon webbing.

[0019] The opposite end of the fastening portion is similarly loop fastened to a 1½ inch wide metal D-ring 3. It is fastened by folding the opposite end portion of the strap 2 through the D ring 3 and stitching the strap back upon itself. The diameter of the D-ring 3 should be of the same dimension as the width of the strap such that the D-ring does not slide or move relative to the strap. The loop fastening construction however, still allows the D-ring some movement relative to the fastening axis (i.e., it is allowed to swing freely). Referring now to FIG. 1b, shown is the connector portion for the invention when it is used in a strengthening mode. The main portion 9 of the connector is composed of elastic tubing and has a small D-ring 10 at one end and a larger snap lock connector 11 at the other end. Referring now to FIG. 1c, shown is the single hand handle portion of the invention composed of a handle 5, handle strap 13, female strap button 13 a, grommet 13 b, wing nut 14 and snap lock connector ring 15.

[0020]FIGS. 1d, 1 e and 1 f relate to the stretching configuration of the invention. FIG. 1d shows the double-hand handle, FIG. 1e the stretching rope and FIG. 1f the foot handle portion. Referring now to FIG. 1d, the double hand handle, the double hand handle is comprised of the handle 5, taken from the single hand handle of FIG. 1c with an extension portion, 5 a screwed thereon. It should also be machined or manufactured from the same material as the single hand handle portion 5. Both pieces 5 and 5 a should be drilled and threaded at one end to accommodate a threaded fastener 5 b and piece 5 should be drilled at the opposite end to accommodate a male fastener 5 c. This manufacturing arrangement allows for the multipurpose handle set up of the invention to perform upper and lower body stretches. The drilling and threading should be such that a ¼″ or ½″ gap remains when pieces 5 and 5 a are threaded together to accommodate the respective snap lock connectors.

[0021] Referring now to FIG. 1e, shown is the strengthening rope, 4 of the present invention. It has various adjustment loops, 4 a to easily accommodate lengthening or shortening the strengthening rope based on the desired configuration. The rope should be approximately 6 feet long with adjustment loops at approximately 4½′ and 5′. Loops can be added by simply knotting the strengthening rope in the desired location. In an alternative embodiment, rather than provide a single rope knotted in loops at the aforementioned positions, multiple ropes of similar dimension could be provided. Finally, the strengthening rope 4 is tied off at one end to a snap lock connector 12.

[0022] Referring now to FIG. 1f, shown is the ankle/wrist wrap portion of the invention. This allows a user to access the stretching and strengthening portions of the invention with his or her ankle, allowing a user to target his or her legs for strengthening and stretching. The ankle/wrist wrap is comprised of a snap lock connector 6, d-ring 7 and an adjustable velcro strap 8. The velcro strap can be made of essentially any fabric-like material such as nylon and should be velcro fastenable and adjustable at the attaching ends. A user simply threads one end of the strap 8 through the d-ring 7.

[0023]FIGS. 2a and 2 b show completely assembled embodiments of the invention: the stretching mode with the hand-handle of FIG. 2a, and the strengthening mode with the ankle/wrist wrap with the double hand handle of 2 b.

[0024] Referring now to FIG. 3, shown is the operation of the invention in its FIG. 2b embodiment. Rod 1, is placed behind any door, such as the interior door of a home. The user then closes the door, which squeezes strap 2 between the door and the door frame. Rod 1, secures or anchors the entire assembly since, quite naturally it is too large to pass through the closed door and the door frame. The assembly can easily be configured to the top, side and bottom portions of the door, which enables the device to have various mounting positions. In this fashion, the closing of the door over the strap will fasten and secure the apparatus and allow the exerciser or user to perform the upper and lower torso stretches. After attaching the device the user simply stands with his or her back against the door for support and balance to stretch the desired muscles. The user simply wraps the ankle/wrist wrap around his or her ankle, grasps the double handle portion and stretches leg muscles as shown. The construction of the invention allows free movement of the rope 4, through the d-ring 3.

[0025] Referring now to FIG. 4 shown is the 2 b embodiment fastened to the base of the door with the ankle/wrist wrap secured around the users wrist to stretch upper torso muscles. FIG. 5 shows another variation of an upper torso stretch. Note that the user has switched to the single hand handle. FIGS. 6 and 7 show others variation of a lower torso stretch. As mentioned, since the rope is reeve over the metal d-ring it allows reciprocation movements of the arms and legs to perform other multiple stretches. The user controls the movement, speed and angle of the stretches according to his or her flexibility levels. The user can turn the handle manually while the rope will wrap either in a clockwise or counter clockwise direction to control upward and downward movement of the stretches. Also, the user can simply pull the handle through the desired range of motion.

[0026] In addition, the apparatus also converts to strengthening mode 2 a by using the elastic tubing 9. The elastic tubing allows for added resistance to perform and enhance muscle building and toning. Elastic tubing of various thickness can be used to create different levels of resistance. Thus, the apparatus is well configured to be a multi-purpose trainer.

[0027] While this invention has been described in terms of several preferred embodiments, there are alterations, permutations and equivalents which fall within the scope of this invention. It should also be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the methods and apparatuses of the present invention. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims be interpreting as including all such alterations, permutations, and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention. 

Accordingly I claim:
 1. An interchangeable upper and lower torso stretching and strengthening apparatus comprising: a strap for coupling to one of an ankle, foot, leg or wrist of a user; a handle, interchangeable with said strap for holding with at least one hand; said connecting member having two ends, one end having an attachment device to attach to said strap via said strap to one of said ankle, foot, leg or wrist of a user and the other end having an attachment device to attach to an anchor, said anchor being temporarily attachable between a door and frame; an alternative connecting member having two ends, one end having an attachment device to connect to either said handle or said strap, the other end connectable to a double-hand handle; said connecting member pulley attachable to said anchor.
 2. An interchangeable upper and lower torso stretching and strengthening apparatus comprising: interchangeable means to couple to one of an ankle, foot, leg, wrist or hands of a user; interchangeable connecting means having two ends, said interchangeable connecting means having an attachment means to allow attachment to said interchangeable coupling means and the other end having an attaching means to allow for rigid attachment to an anchoring means, said anchoring means temporarily attachable between a door and a frame, and; an alternate interchangeable connecting means having two ends, said alternate interchangeable connecting means having an attachment means to allow attachment to said interchangeable coupling means and the other end having an interchangeable means to couple to one of an ankle, foot, leg, wrist or hands of a user, said connecting means pulley attachable to said anchoring means.
 3. A method for stretching and/or strengthening the upper and lower torso comprising: supplying a strap for coupling to one of an ankle, foot, leg or wrist of a user; supplying a handle, interchangeable with said strap for holding with at least one hand; said connecting member having two ends, one end having an attachment device to attach to said strap via said strap to one of said ankle, foot, leg or wrist of a user and the other end having an attachment device to attach to an anchor, said anchor being temporarily attachable between a door and frame; supplying an alternative connecting member having two ends, one end having an attachment device to connect to either said handle or said strap, the other end connectable to a double-hand handle; said connecting member pulley attachable to said anchor; choosing one of said connecting members; attaching said strap or said hand to one of an ankle, foot, leg, wrist or hand of said user; attaching said anchor temporarily between a door and frame; engaging in a strengthening or stretching exercise. 